CERTIFIED DIABETES CARE AND
EDUCATION SPECIALIST (CDCES) EXAM
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which hormone primarily lowers blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Insulin facilitates cellular uptake of glucose, lowering blood glucose.
2. The most common type of diabetes worldwide is:
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Type 2 diabetes
C. Gestational diabetes
D. MODY
Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of diabetes cases globally.
3. Which test reflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months?
A. Fasting plasma glucose
B. Random glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Oral glucose tolerance test
A1c reflects long-term glycemic control over approximately 8–12 weeks.
,4. Diagnostic criteria for diabetes include fasting plasma glucose of:
A. ≥110 mg/dL
B. ≥115 mg/dL
C. ≥126 mg/dL
D. ≥140 mg/dL
A fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL confirms diabetes.
5. Which condition is characterized by autoimmune destruction of beta cells?
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Type 2 diabetes
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Prediabetes
Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune beta-cell destruction.
6. The primary defect in type 2 diabetes is:
A. Absolute insulin deficiency
B. Insulin resistance
C. Autoimmune beta-cell destruction
D. Increased glucagon only
Insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.
7. Which medication class increases insulin sensitivity?
A. Sulfonylureas
B. Biguanides
C. Meglitinides
D. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Biguanides (e.g., metformin) improve insulin sensitivity.
8. First-line pharmacologic therapy for type 2 diabetes is typically:
A. Insulin
B. Metformin
C. Sulfonylurea
D. GLP-1 agonist
Metformin is recommended as initial therapy unless contraindicated.
, 9. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH
C. Insulin lispro
D. Insulin glargine
Rapid-acting analogs like lispro act fastest.
10.Which insulin provides basal coverage for 24 hours?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH
C. Lispro
D. Glargine
Glargine provides long, steady basal insulin coverage.
11.Hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose less than:
A. 80 mg/dL
B. 70 mg/dL
C. 60 mg/dL
D. 50 mg/dL
Hypoglycemia is defined as glucose <70 mg/dL.
12.The “15-15 rule” is used to treat:
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Ketoacidosis
D. Insulin resistance
The 15-15 rule treats mild to moderate hypoglycemia.
13.Which symptom is typical of hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Diaphoresis
C. Polydipsia
D. Weight loss
Sweating is a common adrenergic symptom of hypoglycemia.
EDUCATION SPECIALIST (CDCES) EXAM
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which hormone primarily lowers blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Insulin facilitates cellular uptake of glucose, lowering blood glucose.
2. The most common type of diabetes worldwide is:
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Type 2 diabetes
C. Gestational diabetes
D. MODY
Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of diabetes cases globally.
3. Which test reflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months?
A. Fasting plasma glucose
B. Random glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Oral glucose tolerance test
A1c reflects long-term glycemic control over approximately 8–12 weeks.
,4. Diagnostic criteria for diabetes include fasting plasma glucose of:
A. ≥110 mg/dL
B. ≥115 mg/dL
C. ≥126 mg/dL
D. ≥140 mg/dL
A fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL confirms diabetes.
5. Which condition is characterized by autoimmune destruction of beta cells?
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Type 2 diabetes
C. Gestational diabetes
D. Prediabetes
Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune beta-cell destruction.
6. The primary defect in type 2 diabetes is:
A. Absolute insulin deficiency
B. Insulin resistance
C. Autoimmune beta-cell destruction
D. Increased glucagon only
Insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes.
7. Which medication class increases insulin sensitivity?
A. Sulfonylureas
B. Biguanides
C. Meglitinides
D. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Biguanides (e.g., metformin) improve insulin sensitivity.
8. First-line pharmacologic therapy for type 2 diabetes is typically:
A. Insulin
B. Metformin
C. Sulfonylurea
D. GLP-1 agonist
Metformin is recommended as initial therapy unless contraindicated.
, 9. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH
C. Insulin lispro
D. Insulin glargine
Rapid-acting analogs like lispro act fastest.
10.Which insulin provides basal coverage for 24 hours?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH
C. Lispro
D. Glargine
Glargine provides long, steady basal insulin coverage.
11.Hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose less than:
A. 80 mg/dL
B. 70 mg/dL
C. 60 mg/dL
D. 50 mg/dL
Hypoglycemia is defined as glucose <70 mg/dL.
12.The “15-15 rule” is used to treat:
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Ketoacidosis
D. Insulin resistance
The 15-15 rule treats mild to moderate hypoglycemia.
13.Which symptom is typical of hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Diaphoresis
C. Polydipsia
D. Weight loss
Sweating is a common adrenergic symptom of hypoglycemia.
